Real Madrid Set Their Eyes On Manchester United Target Luke Shaw

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Real Madrid have decided to let Fabio Coentrao go in the summer and have set their eyes on Manchester United target Luke Shaw.

Spanish daily Marca has reported today that Real Madrid have been scouting the market in search of a left-back to replace Fabio Coentrao, who is set to leave in the summer and who almost left in the last summer transfer window. On the agenda are Guilherme Siqueira and Luke Shaw.

According to Marca, Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on Siqueira with a view to a possible swoop as well. The Brazilian was on the verge of joining the Merengues last year on transfer deadline day. His arrival at Benfica was not confirmed until the last minute with the player holding out for a move to Real, with an agreement already in place subject to the sale of Coentrao coming off.

Now, another possible future signing for Los Blancos is Luke Shaw, although the Englishman is a less likely signing. The Southampton man is just 18 years of age but already features in the England international set-up and could even be selected in the World Cup squad. The teenager is one of the brightest prospects in English football.

Despite his tender age, Shaw has already played 60 times for the Saints and has carried all before him under the guidance of boss Mauricio Pochettino. Jose Mourinho has been planning to prise Shaw – a boyhood Chelsea fan – away from the south coast this summer, ahead of United, Spurs and even Liverpool, who are also said to be admirers.

Meanwhile, Manchester United had emerged as the frontrunners for the signature of Shaw as they want him to replace ageing Patrice Evra on the left side of defence.

But Real are poised to spark a huge battle by trying to luring the left-back to Spain.

Of course, the La Liga giants already have one product of Southampton’s youth production line, Gareth Bale, on their books after last summer’s world record move from Spurs.

His transfer fee is an estimated £36m (€36m), but it seems unfeasible Real will spend such a large sum on a left-back.

The defender’s agent is Jonathan Barnett, who also represents Gareth Bale. Chelsea and Manchester United are the clubs in pole position to sign the player. Shaw is a tireless and tenacious player but is still not quite the finished article. He has 35 games to his name, including an international clash between England and Denmark.

THT Verdict:

Historically, whenever Real Madrid start chasing any player, they get their man: regardless of other interested clubs’ competition. We have seen this with the transfer of Gareth Bale.And this time too, glamour (and of course, Champions League football) of Real Madrid will be too much to avoid for the young English star.